by 
Keana Cruz Torres
By Yolanda Najera-Ewing
Four fabulous, faithful, fund raising young ladies, helped by their families, have agreed to vie for the position of the 34th Annual Saint Francis Church Fiestas Patrias Queen.
Vying for Fiestas Patrias Queen are Marisa Loren Estatico, Alessya Joseleen Green, Malaya Angel Martinez and Keana Cruz Torres. All four young ladies reside locally with their families and range in age from five-years-old through high school age. All four have already begun their fund raising activities and will continue through the last week before the Annual Fiesta, which is set for Sept. 14 and 15.
Marisa Loren Estatico is currently selling Fiesta fund raising tickets and is having a pastry bingo on Saturday, May 11. She is also having a Mothers’ Day breakfast on the following day, Sunday, May 12 after each of the Masses. Marisa has a Corn Hole Tournament set for Saturday, Jun. 15 and a Fathers’ Day breakfast scheduled for the next day, Jun. 16. Planned for the future is a Golf Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 8. Still other events are in the works for future events.
Marisa, 12, is the daughter of Sonia and Stephen Estatico. She has two sisters, Marlee and Mira, who are both of school age. She attends the sixth grade at John F. Kennedy Elementary where she also plays softball. Her favorite subject is art, and the foods she likes best of all are spaghetti and tacos.
Marisa attends religious instruction classes (Christian Catholic Doctrine classes) every Thursday afternoon. She is also an Altar Server for Saint Francis Church and helps her parents raise funds each year for the family Fiesta booth. Marisa delivers The Superior Sun and works concession at the Superior Little League stand as well as helping with clean-up. She has helped both her sister and neighbors after they have had a hospital stay. Marisa wants to be Fiesta Queen because, “It lets people know that my family and I helped our church and worked hard for our church.”
Alessya Joseleen Green is also selling Fiesta fund raising tickets and has many fund raising activities planned for the future. The thought is that she should defer to all the school events planned for the month of May and begin her fundraising in June. They are planning several giveaways and a Tardiada with live music. Currently, Alessya has made 100 key chains which she is offering for a donation. They are available at Circle K along with burros that are for sale.
Alessya, 8, is the daughter of Eileen Moreno and Joseph Green. She has an adult sister, Kiara Moreno, and a 12 year old brother, Jared. Alessya is in the third grade at John F. Kennedy Elementary where her brother is also a student. She doesn’t have a favorite subject as she likes all of her school classes.
Alessya is fluent in two languages, English and Spanish. Alessya is a member of the Superior Baile Folklorico and has studied dance in this group for four years. Her favorite food is also spaghetti. Alessya has just begun attending CCD classes. She spends a good deal of her time with her maternal grandmother, Blanca Moreno, and her paternal grandmother, Frances McCurry. Along with her grandmothers, Alessya visits the sick and helps them in what she can. She wants to become Fiesta Queen because, “I need to help get money for my church and to help the church and its parishioners.”
MAalaya Angel Martinez, like the others, is selling Fiesta fund raising tickets and will be selling breakfast and lunch after both Masses on Sunday, May 19 in the church patio. She will repeat this activity after the Masses on Sunday, May 26. Plans have already been made for an ice cream social and a pastry bingo in June. Still other events are being planned.
Malaya, 6, is the daughter of Krista and Melecio “Mel” Angel Martinez II. She has a sister, Rose who is two, a sister Lily who is three, a brother Niko who is nine and an adult brother Isaac. Malaya is in kindergarten at John F. Kennedy Elementary where her brother, Niko, is also a student. Her favorite school subjects are computer time and reading.
Malaya plays T-ball, participates in cheerleading and loves dancing which she practices regularly. Of all the foods from which she could choose, Malaya has selected salads as her favorite. Malaya, along with her family, attends St. Francis Catholic Church and is in her first year of CCD classes. She spends time with her “Nana” and “Tata,” and helps them in all that she can. Malaya wants to become Fiesta Queen because, “The queens have pretty dresses, and because Nana Bonnie calls me Queen Malaya.”
Keana Cruz Torres is selling tickets to the monetary fund raising event sponsored by the church as are the other candidates. Keana has already sponsored a menudo breakfast and a pancake breakfast at the church. She is now having a giveaway on a Mothers’ Day gift basket and is asking for a dollar donation per ticket or five dollars for six tickets. Additionally, she is selling empanadas which will be delivered on May 17. Those wanting homemade empanadas can pre-order by calling Keana at 520-827-0772. There are also June activities which Keana is planning and will soon be announcing.
Keana wrote: “I am 15 years old, my parents are Lou and Missy Torres, and I have two adult sisters, Zeena and Lila Torres. My maternal grandmother is Yolanda Romero. I am a freshman at Superior Jr. / Sr. High School, and my favorite subject in school is English/Language Arts.” She also reported that she played junior varsity volleyball; is a cheerleader for varsity basketball; and is on the varsity softball team. An active student, Keana also plays senior league softball, is a member of F.C.C.L.A., dances with Baile Folklorico Alma de Superior, and attends C.Y.M. (Catholic Youth Ministry) classes.
Her community service includes volunteering for the Superior Chamber of Commerce and the Optimist Club, as well as visiting with a friend who is homebound. Keana’s favorite food is none other than her father’s tacos. She also wrote, “When I am not busy with school activities, sports and dancing, I like to spend time with my family and friends, texting on the phone and watching and listening to videos and music on the computer.”
As for her reason for running for Fiesta Queen, Keana said, “I would like to be Fiesta Queen because I would like to help the church out in any way I can. It’s also sort of a family tradition to run for Fiesta Queen. Being a candidate will also give me a chance to be more into the community and it will allow me to meet and know others.”
Each of the Queen Candidates for the Fiestas Patrias will receive a formal gown, a crown, shoes, a sash and 10 percent of the funds which they raise. Marcella Garcia is in director of the queen candidates and their projects. She can be reached at 480-550-1578.Other available contacts for the queen candidates are Fiestas Chair Steve Lopez (689-5059), Fiestas co-chair Olga Lopez (520-827-4119), and the church office (689-2250).
“Joy in Serving” is the theme selected for this year’s Fiestas Patrias which will begin with a parade on Saturday, Sept. 14. Anyone wanting to have an entry in the parade can contact the church office. Food booths will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Malaya Angel Martinez
Marisa Loren Estatico
Alessya Joseleen Green
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